Have good typing and IT skills, including use of spreadsheets and databases

Be able to take direction

Have good team-working skills

Pay close attention to detail

WHAT DOES A PRODUCTION ASSISTANT DO?

Production Assistants are responsible for assisting in the smooth running of the production. They work with, and support, Production Co-ordinator or Production Managers.
Their responsibilities vary depending on the studio, the animation technique and the size of production, and may include:

Taking notes in production meeting and distributing reports to the appropriate people

Operating equipment for viewing tests and dailies

Co-ordinating and logging incoming and outgoing materials

Maintaining a database for tracking work progress

If a production is animated overseas, they may be responsible for assembling, photocopying and packing the storyboards and any associated documentation for shipping.

On larger productions, they work more closely with the Production Co-ordinator than with the Production Manager. There may be a Co-ordinator for each department, e.g. design & storyboard, editing, layout, rigging, animation, lighting, compositing, post production, etc., who reports to the Production Manager. In this case, Production Assistants acquire a great deal of knowledge in very specific areas. On smaller productions, they are likely to work across all departments and gain wider experience.

Regardless of the size of the project, Production Assistants help to take care of the crew. They make sure that work is ready and available for them to begin. They ensure that the delivery schedule is met and check that the necessary materials, equipment and references are available.

Will I need a qualification?

You don’t need to be a graduate to be a Production Assistant. However, this can be a good hands-on entry-level job for recent graduates of animation, computer or film courses. Either way, it would be useful to you to have some knowledge of animation and how studios operate.

WHAT’S THE BEST ROUTE IN?

This is a good entry-level job to gain experience in production and you could also start as an animation Runner and progress to this role. You will need good IT skills and it would help you to have skills in Photoshop.

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